We've discussed sampling and sound design and now it's time for another "S" of electronic music, sequencing.  The old lyric is true - it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.  The feel of music, the groove, the subtlety of timing - these are the things that seperate something that feels funky from something that feels like a computer was involved and not a human.  There's many ways to approach sequenencing beats depending on the equipment you use, but some things are universal.  Sometimes perfect timing is desired and sometimes we gotta take that quantizing off.  What's important is that you know several ways to approach this.  As with most things musical, the greater your "vocabulary", the more control you will have over the outcome. 

Let's begin by discussing quantize.  This is a feature found in all midi sequencers and most drum machines that will correct your timing.  Let's face it, most of us are not going to play tight 16th notes at any tempo.  But do we have to quantize everything?  Tip #1: try performing some tracks with quantize off.  Trust me, this is how all of your favorite professional beats are made.  This is especially true for those of us making hip hop and r & b at slower tempos.  Have you ever listened to a funk band and analyzed the groove?  It's all over the place and that's a good thing.  Make yourself a beat with the kick and snare/clap with no quantize.  Some snares are going to fall into the pocket (behind the beat) and some will be ahead of the beat.  Being midi, you can always go back and slide around the ones that sound way off.  Now try the opposite.  Try making the hi hats loose without quantize and make the snares and kicks dead on the grid.  Now try everything with no quantize.  It my take a few takes to get a performance you like, but it's way worth it.  You will hear right away how much more natural this is.  Try this with any and every instrument, not just the drums.  I've found that a combination of quantized and live work great together.

Let's discuss the pocket some more.  Snares and claps that fall on the backbeat (beats 2 and 4) are typically found in all genres of pop music.  Funk drummers are known for having the snare happen a little late, or behind the beat.  Experiment with this by sliding all of your 2 and 4 events to the right a little in your sequencer.  On the MPC, you would use the "shift timing" feature.  Do you feel how this affects the groove?  Now let's try sliding these to the left or ahead of the beat.  This may create an anxious, rushed feeling.  This is very effective for those of us who make house/techno/dance/pop at faster tempos.  You should also try this with your open hi hats that happen on the upbeats.  Do you feel the difference?  If you work with loop based sequncers like Live or Acid, you will have experienced this without knowing it because breaks and loops generally will have a certain swing to them already.

Tip #2: Swing is a feature that must be used and explored.  Sometimes it's called "shuffle" or "groove quantize".  It's present in all sequencers except for the oldest drum machines like the 808.  Even the 909 has a classic shuffle that is integral to its sound.  Anyways, you'll have to investigate your sequencer or drum machine to find the swing.  Logic offers all kinds of swings in its quantize menu.  Reason recently implemented the ReGroove module to its rack.  The MPC has a classic swing that ranges from 50% (dead on) to 75% (swinging like a sunovabitch). In short, almost all sequencers have swing features and they're not that hard to use.  Just apply them to your beats and listen for the feel.  Become familiar with how your sequencer deals with swing, shuffle, and groove quantizing and use them to break the boredom of computer perfect beats. 

It wouldn't hurt to also study some music theory on rhythm.  Have you ever noticed the effect that Latin music has on people who want to dance?  Nothing gets asses shaking like Latin and African music.  Tip #3: I highly recommend, especially if you make dance music of any kind, that you dedicate some time to learning these rhythms and incorporating them into your tunes.  This subject is extremely deep and you could dedicate a lifetime to studying it.  I recommend you do whatever research you can and even go as far as to take percussion lessons with a real teacher.  Don't forget that the word "musician" is half of the phrase "electronic musician".  Once again, a bigger musical vocabulary will expand the possibilites in your music.  Don't limit your influences to the style that you are currently making.  Draw from the world of music, not just your primary genre.

Let's keep this discussion open.  I would love to hear if ths helps any of you as well as your own tips to sequencing.  I'm sure you all have a lot to say.  Thanks.